Instruction and Federal Programs

Department of Instruction

Instruction and Federal Programs

The Essex County Public Schools (ECPS) Department of Instruction supports instructional processes at Essex High School, Essex Intermediate School, and Tappahannock Elementary School. The goals of the Department of Instruction and Federal Programs are:

To provide support to students, teachers, parents, and administrators to encourage progress of individual ECPS students;

To listen to school and community needs and focus federal funding on improving instruction for students;

To work with Essex High School (EHS) administration and the ECPS Human Resources Department to identify courses for students that will enhance opportunities for graduation; and

To facilitate the use of technology in classroom instruction by determining current IT use and collaborating with Student Services and Technology to evaluate opportunities for students.

ECPS manages several Federal Program grants aimed at supporting instruction for students through highly qualified faculty and staff. Grants include Title I – Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged, Title II Part A – Improving Teacher Quality, Title III – Language Instruction for Limited English Proficient and Immigrant Students, and Title V – Rural and Low-Income Program.

Standards of Learning

The Virginia Standards of Learning, often referred to as the SOLs, provide a framework for instruction in schools in Virginia. The SOLs outline state expectations for what students should know and be able to do when a grade or course has been completed. SOLs address expectations for English, mathematics, science, history/social science and other subjects. At the end of each grade, from grades 3 through 8, and at the end of specific courses in reading, writing, mathematics, science, and history/social science, students take SOL tests to measure success in meeting state expectations.

State Accreditation Ratings

Public schools in Virginia are measured by state accreditation requirements. Accreditation guidelines specify the percent of students that must pass annual state assessments in English, mathematics, science, and history for the school to receive a status of fully accredited. Schools must achieve pass rates of 75% or greater for English, 70% or greater for mathematics, science, and history, and a graduation completion index of 85% or greater.

The Virginia Department of Education produces annual School Quality Profiles for schools and school divisions within the state of Virginia. School Quality Profiles provide information about student achievement, accreditation ratings, program completion, teacher quality, school safety, graduation rates, and other relevant data. To access the School Quality Profiles for Essex County Public Schools, Essex High School, Essex Intermediate School, or Tappahannock Elementary School, please use the side menu.